Perceive Romania

Ca o paranteza in toata aceasta agitatie pe tema brandingului de tara, am vrea sa multumim celor care ne-au ajutat sa ducem mai departe imaginea pe care am dorit sa o cream.

Le multumim Andradei Georgescu si lui Raul Baciut pentru minunatele poze pe care ni le-au trimis si pe care le-am folosit. Au surprins intr-adevar esenta unei Romanii cu adevarat minunate.

De asemenea, cu sprijinul partenerilor nostri de la Euro 26 si al iubitorilor de salsa de la Mania Latina, am reusit sa ne promovam imaginea in randurile unor oameni tineri, ambitiosi si plini de viata.

Nu uitati ca asteptam poze si articole din partea voastra:)

Muntenia or Greater Wallachia is a historical province of Romania and was once part of the principality of Wallachia-proper. Muntenia, Ţara Românească, and the seldom used Valahia are synonyms in Romanian. Muntenia spans the land between the Danube (to the south and east), the Carpathian Mountains (the Transylvanian Alps branch) and Moldavia (both to the north), and the Olt River (to the west). The latter river is the border between Muntenia and Oltenia (or Lesser Wallachia). Part of the traditional border between Muntenia and Moldavia is formed by the rivers Milcov and Siret.

Muntenia includes ten entire counties and parts of three other counties. Bucharest, Romania’s capital, is situated in Muntenia; other major cities of the region are Brăila, Buzău, Piteşti, Ploieşti and Târgovişte.

Some of the most interesting places in this part of Romania are:

–         The Prahova Valley, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Romania. Sinaia, Predeal and Buşteni are all important mountain ski resorts located in this region.

–         The Peleş Castle near Sinaia, a Neo-Renaissance castle placed in an idyllic setting in the Carpathian Mountains built during King Carol I of Romania’s rule and one of the most iconic buildings in Romania.

–         The Village Musesum (Muzeul Satului), in Bucharest, an open-air ethnographic museum located in the Herăstrău Park showcasing traditional Romanian village life. The museum extends to over 100,000 m² and contains 272 authentic peasant farms and houses from all over Romania.

–         Lipscani, a street and a district of Bucharest which in the Middle Ages was the most important commercial center of Bucharest and of the whole Wallachia. It is located near the ruins of the old Princely Court built by Vlad III the Impaler.

–         The Negru Vodă Monastery, in Câmpulung, supposedly built in 1215 by Radu Negru, legendary first Prince of Wallachia.

–         The Cathedral of Curtea de Argeş, built in the early 16th century, is one of the most famous buildings in Romania, and stands in the grounds of a monastery, in Curtea de Argeş city.

–         The Royal Court and The Chindia Tower in Târgovişte, important landmarks in the history of the of the Wallachian voivodship.

–         The Berca Mud Volcanoes in Buzău County, a rare geological feature in the form of small volcano-shaped structures typically a few meters high caused by the eruption of mud and volcanic gases.

–         The Eternal Fire (Focul Viu) from Lăptari, another rare natural feature, caused by continuous gaseous build-ups which ignite due to pressure and friction with the bedrock.

–         The Clock Museum in Ploieşti, a unique museum in Romania housing a large clock collection, some of the items in the collection dating back to the 17th century.

Moldavia is the region that forms the Eastern side of Romania, it gives it a hint of uniqueness and it converts it in an unforgettable moment for those who get to know it. If you reach these places, all of your senses will be surprised by a rare nature symbiosis.

Geographically, Moldavia is a harmonious combination of hilly regions and plains, looking like a huge ladder, which goes down from North to South and whose stairs are accentuated by many playful rivers. In the Western side, like huge cloak, the mountains are rest in a kingly demeanor, like gods watching over the people, being proud of these beautiful lands. Walking to the East, you can hear the accelerated gurgle of the Prut river which marks the Eastern limit of the region, and of the country too.

The North part of Moldavia represents a gateway to sanctity, a mystic field that mediates the communication between God and the Christian Orthodox worshipers. There are many monasteries which carry an impressive spiritual charge, but also historical one, because they were built many centuries ago in medieval times. Their architecture creates a spectacular visual effect throughout the play of colors which personifies religious themes. Also, the auditory sense will be surprised by the harmonious sound of the church bells, which seem to compose the music of divine revelation. All these submerge into the old wood and the incense odor that compose a new world, one of hope.

Out of the Moldavian monasteries we cannot fail to mention Voroneţ Monastery situated in Suceava county. It was built in 1488 by one of the bravest voivodes of Moldavia, Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen III of Moldavia).

The Sf. Gheorghe church is famous for its external paintings, representing hundreds of saints’ faces which have been preserved although centuries have passed over them.

Also, the Suceviţa Monastery, built in 1583 is situated in the same county. It looks like a real Medieval fortress, being surrounded by huge walls, 100 meters long each, 3 meters thick and 6 meters tall, all these indicating to a new architectural style. Of course, there are several paintings which cover the monastery and which create an extraordinary visual effect.

The Putna Monastery represents another imposing monument of Suceava and, of course, of Moldavia. It was build between 1466 and 1469 and it marks another victory of Ştefan cel Mare, who is said to have built one church for each of his victories. This monument is more special historically speakin, because this is the site of Ştefan cel Mare’s grave.

Gently going down the lands of Moldavia you will be amazed by the long streches of land occupied by vineyards, where noble wines are produced, sweet and dry, but always beautifully scented and extremely enticing. Also the traditional foods of the region complete this unique Romanian work of art that is Moldavia.

Oltenia (Lesser Wallachia, in some older sources) is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube to the south, the Southern Carpathians to the north and west, and the Olt river to the east.

There are two entire counties in Oltenia and parts of varying sizes of four other counties. Craiova is the most important city in the region and the historic seat of government of the region. Other important cities of Oltenia are Râmnicu Vâlcea, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Târgu Jiu and Slatina.

Major points of interest for tourists include:

–         The Danube Cauldrons (Cazanele Dunării), a narrow gorge where the rapid flow of water can cause deep currents to rapidly rise to the surface, causing the water to seem as though it is boiling in a cauldron. The region is also rich in ancient Roman and Dacian ruins including those of the bridge built by Apollodorus of Damascus.

–         The Horezu Monastery in Horezu, Vâlcea County, a World Heritage Site and architectural masterpiece of the “Brâncovenesc style”. The town of Horezu is also famed for its painted pottery.

–         The Constantin Brâncuşi Sculptural Ensemble în Târgu Jiu, a collection of large sculptures by the world acclaimed artist. The sculptures include The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, Chairs’ Alley and, most famous of all, The Endless Column.

–         The ruins of Severin Castle (Cetatea Severinului) in Drobeta-Turna Severin, which served as gateway between Western and Eastern Europe for three centuries untile 1524 when it was destroyed by attacking Turks.

–         The Polovragi Cave, near Horezu and Baia de Fier, one of the longest and most beautiful caves in Romania, of which 11 kilometers have been mapped so far; only the first 800 meters are open to tourists.

–         The spa towns of Govora, Olăneşti and Călimăneşti-Căciulata, which offer treatments for various ailments based on the waters of local thermal/mineral springs.

Dobrogea is the Romanian region situated in the south-east part of the country and which marks its eastern limit. Not only does this region look like the tail of a fish at a quick glance of the map, but it is also surrounded by the waters of the Danube (and the Danube Delta), the Black sea and of numerous other rivers and lakes.

From a historical point of view,  Dobrogea is one of the oldest inhabited territories, archeological digs discovering objects which belonged to Gumelnița culture from Eneolithic and to Hamangia culture from Neolithic. It was colonized by Greeks during the 6^th-4^th centuries B. C. and the ancient cities Histria, Tomis and Callatis. The most important cities of this region are Tulcea, Constanţa and Mangalia.

Dobrogea’s uniqueness consists of the biggest European reservation of wet lands: Danube Delta. Its surface occupies 4340 square kilometers of the surface of the country and it is a real exotic paradise, “garnished” by over 1200 species of trees and plants and inhabited by more than 300 species of birds and almost 100 species of fish.

As one can see, this region’s fauna is impressively large, but what amazes is the species variety; for example: pelicans (the largest European colony of pelicans), swans, tufts, flamingo, wild geese and ducks, storks etc. This is due to the fact that Danube Delta is situated at the midway between Equator and North Pole, six bird migration routs crossing this place.

Because this is a region almost covered by water fishing represents one of the main activities of the native people, but it may also be of interest to travelers. Besides, if you like to eat fish, this is the region you definitely mustn’t miss. The fish soup, as well as other dishes based on fish meat, is unique by cooking process, appearance and flavor.

The Danube Delta is part of this beautiful Romanian region, Dobrogea. It is a place suitable for relaxation while you are caught in the amazing show of nature. In conclusion, it is a paradise settled on water, fulfilled by an eternally living flora and animated by a unique fauna.

If there is any place were you can breath youth that is Timisoara for sure.

I always considered myself to be a very opened person with young visions. I love to stay among people enjoying the first years of their official “adult life” being half kids, half mature but certainly happy.

I also love to travel but not as a official tourist, more likely as an observer of the real life in any country. I would rather go in not those “tourist commercial” countries because I feel like there life still has another value and other approach. With this regard I would like to tell you about a great city were “the name of the game” is youth.

Timisoara in the west of Romania has that unique charm given by enormous vivid campuses. Smiling there is by default. The vibes generated by joy, laughter, ideas, bright future plans, kisses, in love people are curative for every human been!

The fact that there are few hills gives the city a continuous present time that makes you live the moment. Parks are surrounded by both medieval and modern buildings but nice integrated. The pedestrian large areas invite you to have long walks being having a party in your head.

There are too many short situations that I must mention that taught me life lessons and also filled my heard with joy. But the mix of feelings and sensations is too dynamic for the moment. I promise to be back with details.

8^th of May…21:00 hours. Tg Mures Airport. Full moon.

Landing in such a part of Romania at such a tricky moment makes you wonder about garlic wooden crosses and also puts you in a serious alert. Your senses perceive every impulse much deeper.

Why? Because…it is wide known that Dracula lives nearby and he often gets upset in case you don’t pay him a visit having the blood tasty. With all these thoughts in my mind we preceded to Sighisoara but with a small stop in the nice small city next 10 kilometers.

After entering the little center of this city regret came along. The fact that is already night and I haven’t got there during the day. So…that little piece of civilized place determined a mix of sensations: the smells of flowers, the colors with the night’s shadow, the joyful youngsters group chatting, small terraces with sexy lights…I was surprised by the simplicity but also calm of this city. It was all I needed after the long flight. I set on a bench under a magnolia tree to enjoy this moment. Than I decided to stay for the night. I asked the young people to recommend me a little pension. They gave me all the details I needed to get there. Surrounded by forest on the hill with a peaceful panorama all my senses blow up. I forgot to mention that the restaurant downstairs offered me a very interesting tasting and looking desert: papanasi…I want more….can’t wait for tomorrow.